Dogs and babies?

[loeylo]

Firstly, please no bashing or "get rid of the dog" because it isn't an option, nor is it required as he is a brilliant dog.

My baby is 6 weeks old, and we have a 4 year old rescue dog - he is a cross between a collie and a German shepherd so quite a large, high energy dog. We have had the dog for two years and he has never showed any aggression to anyone.

He is quite boisterous, with being a rescue, in that he likes to run around and throw his toys so obviously that is a concern invade he chucks a hard toy at the wee one.

Anyway, my question is OBVIOUSLY I know you can't leave them unattended, which I would never do, but what is classed as unattended? Our house is all on one level, but what do I do if I need a pee? Do I need to take one of them? Or if I am doing a washing and taking things from the kitchen into the spare room?

I personally felt quite comfortable as long as I was within earshot of the two of them, but my mum said this is irresponsible and I should take the dog or the baby into the room with me.

To be honest that sounds like a nightmare. The dog might follow me into a room but if he doesn't want to go into the kitchen he is highly unlikely to stay, so I'd need to close the doors behind me. He would then scratch the paintwork to get back to the chair so he can look out the window. I also don't want to wake the baby by lifting her, then I won't have free hands so can't do housework anyway!

Any advice?

 

[_Meep_]

We are lucky in that OH is a 'dog whisperer', so the dog we have is incredibly highly trained and obedient. He's also a collie sub-species (Kelpie) so he's very intelligent - but we still never let them alone together for any amount of time. Ever.

It just isn't worth the risk, no matter how much you trust your dog.

I've always taken LO to the toilet with me anyway, even when Phoenix is out at work with OH, and certainly would if he were in and OH didn't happen to be there.

When we are all in the house and LO is toddling around, the dog is either told to stay in his bed or he sleeps out in the hall. We find it helpful, as dogs are obviously going to be curious, to invite him to come over and interact with the baby under supervision a few times a day. He seems to understand this arrangement and mostly just stays out of her way.

Maybe you could baby wear around the house while your LO is tiny?

 

[staralfur]

When my LO was really tiny and couldn't move herself around I would pop her in her crib when I went to the bathroom. My big dog is insanely hyper and clumsy, I knew he'd never purposely hurt her as he adores babies and kids, but there was a real possibility he might get excited and step on her/knock her over by accident. Once she was walking confidently I would leave her in the living room by herself to run to the bathroom or grab something quickly.

At this point I don't even think about it, I've left her with the dogs out of sight countless times. The only time either dog has ever snapped at her was when she was sitting on my lap and my little dog was half on my lap as well. Usually they just run away if she's bugging them and without me there cuddling them both there's ample room to do so. She also seems to know at this point to leave the dogs alone entirely if I'm not there.

But when they're just little I would put them up somewhere where accidentally getting stepped on/knocked over by a dog isn't a possibility! I don't think you necessarily need to take either right into the bathroom with you.

 

[jessmke]

My first baby isn't due for another 9 days, but I have two dogs, a golden retriever and a boxer. Both are calm in the house and well behaved and love children, so I am not worried about them with the baby. I am however, worried about what the baby might do to them. Until the baby is old enough to be taught how to properly behave around the dogs, they will not be left alone in the same room. Every animal, no matter how kind and docile, will have a tipping point. A baby could very easily hurt or startle a dog (poke in the eye, grab a handful of fur, etc) and if the dog is sufficiently hurt or startled they can snap at the baby. Not only does this put the baby at great risk, but also puts the dog at a great risk. It's not a risk I'd be willing to take just to make my life a little easier. I would actually be much more likely to take my dogs with me around the house than to grab the baby if I need to nip out of the room for a minute, but with my dogs I can tell them to lay down somewhere and they will stay there until I tell them otherwise, so it's easy to take them with me and maintain control over them.

My hubby works at the local children's hospital and deals with dog bites all the time. 99% of the time the owners are adamant that the dog is well behaved and they never would have expected this and they always supervise the baby with the dogs, etc, etc. But these things happen, and it's not a risk I'd personally be willing to take.

For me, within "ear shot" is not close enough. Sure you can hear what's going on, but by the time you hear a confrontation and get to them, the damage is already done. Could you set up a pack n play in the living room or something so if you have to leave the room you could just pop the baby in there and go about your housework without worry?

 

[Lief]

I'd never trust a child with a dog or a dog with a child. I'd allow them to interact while I was present but never alone. If you have a safety gate I'd try that, then if baby is sleeping just bring the dog out with you. If he goes back to the room baby is in the gate will hopefully stop him from getting in.

 

[zorak]

Never leave them alone, it's not worth the risk. I'm currently living with my Mother In Law. She has a lovely tempered cat but I never leave my 5 month old alone in the same room with the cat. If baby is napping the bedroom door is closed firmly. If I need to pee either baby comes or the cat gets moved to another room and shut in for a minute. My Mother In Law agrees and she adores the cat but as she says it is an animal with animal instincts and reactions.

I never even left my very articulate two year old alone with the baby when he was small. Our apartment was also open plan and I'd just take one or the other wherever I went. Sometimes baby ended up lying on a towel on the bathroom floor but I felt better knowing what was happening.

 

[Eleanor ace]

It is a total pain having to take 1 or the other any time you leave a room but I think it really has to be done. My dog was just lovely, there was no way I'd ever have thought he'd hurt DS but most people hose LO's are hurt by their dogs think the same. Could you gate off the dogs favourite area so you can keep him there and put LO down elsewhere while you get things done?

 

[MumToEva]

I agree with others - within earshot just isn't enough, especially when your LO is more mobile and wants to see the dog. I have a stair gate across the utility door where I separate the dog off from the kids. Now that they are a bit bigger I've started to tie his lead around the leg of the sofa so that they can potter about without having to worry about what he is up to.

 

[staceymxxx]

I have 3 dogs and a 13m old. i've never left them alone, baby gates are my friend lol. i would never forgive myself if i walked away for a second for something to happen.

My auntys dog is probably one of the best trained dogs ever but my baby made a strange noise and the dog dove at pram wanting to attack my baby, any dog can turn x

 

[loeylo]

I didn't think about a baby gate - that would actually work really well as I could put it in the hall and the dog would be quite happy on either side - one side has our bedroom and the other side the living room. Going to buy one online tonight.

I wouldn't have left them when she is mobile or able to grab etc, right now she still isn't reaching for objects and can't get beyond the edges of her bouncy chair so her grabbing at dog isn't a concern. A baby gate would stop it being an issue whatsoever.

Just to add I have never left them for any more than a minute, and only when they are both sleeping. I do however know it only takes a second and I never did feel comfortable with it.

I would take the dog or baby seat to the loo with me but my loo is tiny and my dog is actually too long to fit in and the baby seat is also too large hence why I leave them, but I can actually see the living room from our loo.

I tried baby wearing but I hate it, that was my initial solution but I don't feel comfortable with her being so uptight as she has a floppy larynx (I suspect) and her breathing goes weird.

 

[Indi84]

I used to take my dog to the toilet with me! I was in a flat all in one level. A baby gate separated the bedrooms from living room so naps were always in his bed, dog in living room.

 

[Mrsb3]

I would loose my mind if I couldn't do any housework literally be in a straight jacket so for me the dog would go. Your baby is little now and you can take her out for long walks in the pram, but what are you going to do when lo is walking and doesn't want to be in the buggy 3 times a day?? Or when she has flu or a viral cold and is throwing up everywhere and needs to be in bed?? Your dog will STILL need exercise at least twice a day in all weathers and darkness. Sorry for the rant, I'm not bashing you I just think sometimes people dont get rid of there dogs because they don't think it's the right thing to do even if it means the dogs quality of life isn't met. You always have s choice.

 

[_Meep_]

I'd just like to say that for me, and probably for everyone else who has posted on this thread, getting rid of my dog would be akin to giving away my child.

You don't get a dog knowing that in the future, should your circumstances change, the love, loyalty and trust that the dog has unfailingly poured into its relationship with you will be rendered null and void.

I think any dog would rather lose the occasional walk than be passed out of the home and lives of the people it loves. They're not big, flashy toys you obsess over for two weeks then leave in the corner to gather dust, before giving away. They are feeling, giving, valuable, worthy and deserving members of the family.

 

[loeylo]

I said at the start of the thread I am not getting rid of him. We specifically got this dog as he was good with kids and he was my first baby, coming home to him helped me cope with my ectopic pregnancy and he is definitely part of the family.

I think it is really sad when people just think screw it, get rid of the dog, rather than striving to make it work.

In terms of letting the dog out, he gets a walk in the morning when mysel and my oh are both in, so the other one can look after baby whilst dog goes out. We have a large garden which he can get a run around in during the day (he might do a pee in the garden but generally doesn't like to) and then he gets another walk when whoever has been at work that day returns, and a final walk before bed.

Personally I don't see that as being an issue with a baby, I was brought up with a dog and when I wasn't well the dog would just get let into the garden for a pee when one parent was working, if I was well and "didn't feel like going for a walk" then it was a case of tough titties, I just had to lol. I can't stay in the house anyway so even with a toddler I will be heading out somewhere so it is no hassle taking the dog and toddler, I'd be going out even if we didn't have the dog!

 

[Mrsb3]

Hmmm toddler friendly places are not always dog friendly places. Me and my toddlers (I have 2) go out every single day but never to dog friendly places, like the park, soft play, library, cafes, toddler groups and play groups. I would really struggle to plan my day with a toddler and a dog and I would feel horrible leaving my dog in doors all day while we had fun out.

That said, you sound like you have a positive attitude about it all and are determined to make it work, so I think you will be absaloutly fine. Hard work yes. Good luck.

 

[Button#]

Surely having to walk the dog twice a day if LO is ill is no different to having to do the school run twice a day for an older child when a younger one is ill. I have a 25 minute walk to pre school with DS in all weathers and DD has to come too.

Also some parents like to take their kids outside to play whatever the weather, we've done a nature play in the rain. It's definitely doable, and to be honest the kids often don't care about a bit of rain.

Good luck with your dog proofing OP.

 

[staralfur]

I would loose my mind if I couldn't do any housework literally be in a straight jacket so for me the dog would go. Your baby is little now and you can take her out for long walks in the pram, but what are you going to do when lo is walking and doesn't want to be in the buggy 3 times a day?? Or when she has flu or a viral cold and is throwing up everywhere and needs to be in bed?? Your dog will STILL need exercise at least twice a day in all weathers and darkness. Sorry for the rant, I'm not bashing you I just think sometimes people dont get rid of there dogs because they don't think it's the right thing to do even if it means the dogs quality of life isn't met. You always have s choice.

That would literally be the case for anyone with kids... do you think people with children shouldn't have dogs in general?

Both of my dogs would be absolutely distraught, panicked, and heartbroken if I re-homed them. I have no doubt they would rather give up walks every once in a while to stay in the home they know and love. To suggest otherwise kind of blows my mind, honestly.

I don't think most dog owners would agree with you that there's a choice. I can imagine very few situations where getting rid of my dogs was a real option and they most definitely don't include having to alter my schedule a bit to accodomate walks or making housework a bit harder. Not even close.

 

[jessmke]

Hmmm toddler friendly places are not always dog friendly places. Me and my toddlers (I have 2) go out every single day but never to dog friendly places, like the park, soft play, library, cafes, toddler groups and play groups. I would really struggle to plan my day with a toddler and a dog and I would feel horrible leaving my dog in doors all day while we had fun out.

That said, you sound like you have a positive attitude about it all and are determined to make it work, so I think you will be absaloutly fine. Hard work yes. Good luck.

Well then it's a good thing you don't have a dog! There's no reason why you still can't go to all those places, you just adjust your schedule so the dog gets a good walk/run before you leave, and the dog is then content to nap in the house while you are out. If you are going to be out for a long period of time then you can hire a dog walker to come and take the dog out for a walk. We live on an 11 acre property and the dogs have a doggy door so they can go out whenever they want, and I still get the dog walker to come over for an hour to take them out for some extra stimulation if I'm going to be gone for more than 5 hours. There are ways to make it work so everyone is happy. I think this thread was started looking for advice from dog owners on how to happily co-exist with a dog and a baby, not for people trying to convince dog owners that having a dog and a baby is too much work.

 

[Mrsb3]

I would loose my mind if I couldn't do any housework literally be in a straight jacket so for me the dog would go. Your baby is little now and you can take her out for long walks in the pram, but what are you going to do when lo is walking and doesn't want to be in the buggy 3 times a day?? Or when she has flu or a viral cold and is throwing up everywhere and needs to be in bed?? Your dog will STILL need exercise at least twice a day in all weathers and darkness. Sorry for the rant, I'm not bashing you I just think sometimes people dont get rid of there dogs because they don't think it's the right thing to do even if it means the dogs quality of life isn't met. You always have s choice.

That would literally be the case for anyone with kids... do you think people with children shouldn't have dogs in general?

Both of my dogs would be absolutely distraught, panicked, and heartbroken if I re-homed them. I have no doubt they would rather give up walks every once in a while to stay in the home they know and love. To suggest otherwise kind of blows my mind, honestly.

I don't think most dog owners would agree with you that there's a choice. I can imagine very few situations where getting rid of my dogs was a real option and they most definitely don't include having to alter my schedule a bit to accodomate walks or making housework a bit harder. Not even close.

I think people should do what they want. Me no, not at least until my youngest is 7

 

[Mrsb3]

Hmmm toddler friendly places are not always dog friendly places. Me and my toddlers (I have 2) go out every single day but never to dog friendly places, like the park, soft play, library, cafes, toddler groups and play groups. I would really struggle to plan my day with a toddler and a dog and I would feel horrible leaving my dog in doors all day while we had fun out.

That said, you sound like you have a positive attitude about it all and are determined to make it work, so I think you will be absaloutly fine. Hard work yes. Good luck.

Well then it's a good thing you don't have a dog! There's no reason why you still can't go to all those places, you just adjust your schedule so the dog gets a good walk/run before you leave, and the dog is then content to nap in the house while you are out. If you are going to be out for a long period of time then you can hire a dog walker to come and take the dog out for a walk. We live on an 11 acre property and the dogs have a doggy door so they can go out whenever they want, and I still get the dog walker to come over for an hour to take them out for some extra stimulation if I'm going to be gone for more than 5 hours. There are ways to make it work so everyone is happy. I think this thread was started looking for advice from dog owners on how to happily co-exist with a dog and a baby, not for people trying to convince dog owners that having a dog and a baby is too much work.

Yes it is defiantly a good thing I don't have a dog. I wouldn't have time for one with my schedule with my kids.